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Rogues to Lovers #1
Girls Before Earls
WHAT A GIRL WANTS
To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office.
WHAT AN EARL NEEDS
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece.
LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL
When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…
To survive her difficult childhood, Miss Hazel Lively relied on two things:a tough outer shell and a love of books. Now, at the age of twenty-eight, she’s finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. She’s hoping that the wealthy families who flock to the shore for the summer will entrust their daughters to Bellehaven Academy―and help pay the way for less fortunate students. All Hazel must do is maintain a flawless reputation and raise a good deal of money. It’s a foolproof plan…till a sinfully handsome earl strides into her office.
WHAT AN EARL NEEDS
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a monstrous headache since the day his teenaged niece became his ward. She’s been expelled from two London boarding schools and is doing her damnedest to scare off his potential fiancée. But Blade has a plan of his own―enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy, where she’ll be out of town and out of his hair. He just needs to convince the buttoned-up headmistress with the soulful brown eyes to take on his niece.
LEAD TO AN IRRESISTIBLE DEAL
When Blade makes a generous offer to the school, it’s impossible for Hazel to refuse. But she has one non-negotiable condition: the earl must visit his niece every other week. Soon, Blade discovers there’s much more to Hazel than meticulous lesson plans. In moonlit seaside coves and candlelit ballrooms, their sparring leads to flirtation…and something altogether deeper. But the passion that flares between them poses a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s battered heart. They say a good thing can’t last forever, but true love? Well, it just might…
307 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 28, 2021
About the author
Anna Bennett
12 books458 followersAnna Bennett started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided historicals (with their balls, dukes, and gowns) were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags—and promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Sign up for Anna's newsletter here! http://bit.ly/2dFW5bv
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® for Regency Historical Romance. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen. Her weaknesses include reality TV, cute shoes, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
Sign up for Anna's newsletter here! http://bit.ly/2dFW5bv
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
October 31, 2022
I’m genuinely baffled. The motivations of each character made zero sense. The book made zero sense. I’d seen very positive reviews of this floating around and thought I could trust them so one could say I fucked around and found out.
If the thing she cares about most is her fucking school she’d have fucking married the earl on the first chance??? That’s literally a better connection to save its reputation than his fiancé wench she was trying to get a connection out of.
If I was a spinster who never thought I was getting married, and suddenly a hot and good man proposes to me and cares for me deeply, I wouldn’t fucking care about love. Like why would I wait for that when I wasn’t gonna get it anyways??? and also fuck my school over???
________
He started this book wanting to get married bc he needed an heir. He wasn’t on his deathbed and he wasn’t in financial straits so he was basically wanting to get married for the future. And for a mother for his ward. Well the woman he chose he barely liked and she didn’t like his ward. Why would she be his choice?? Why was he so hard up for choices?? He’s a handsome rich Earl like why did he weave this web.
And if I found a woman who made me happy, and went to my “fiancé” to break it off, I simply wouldn’t let the twat convince me to keep on courting. There was more annoying bullshit with the other woman and truly I have zero time for that I started skipping chunks of this audiobook.
**Spoiler** Literally he had to commit to marrying another woman to save her school RATHER THAN THEM JUST GETTING MARRIED. Make it make sense. And he was like yeah I gave her my word so we’re getting married! Good god. He was weak and let the other woman walk all over him, but honestly I would’ve too bc he was such a wimp. Like he was literally going to marry her?? He was begging her to renege on the agreement and when she was like “nah” he just gave up. There was no contract! Just fucking tell her to Argo fuck herself. The reason they ended up together was outside of their control at the end anyways so he didn’t actively make the decision to dump the other one.
Plus they screwed so fast considering how little they’d interacted before that. I kinda hate them both and hated this book for wasting my time. The scenes we got were short, random, and also made little sense.
If the thing she cares about most is her fucking school she’d have fucking married the earl on the first chance??? That’s literally a better connection to save its reputation than his fiancé wench she was trying to get a connection out of.
If I was a spinster who never thought I was getting married, and suddenly a hot and good man proposes to me and cares for me deeply, I wouldn’t fucking care about love. Like why would I wait for that when I wasn’t gonna get it anyways??? and also fuck my school over???
________
He started this book wanting to get married bc he needed an heir. He wasn’t on his deathbed and he wasn’t in financial straits so he was basically wanting to get married for the future. And for a mother for his ward. Well the woman he chose he barely liked and she didn’t like his ward. Why would she be his choice?? Why was he so hard up for choices?? He’s a handsome rich Earl like why did he weave this web.
And if I found a woman who made me happy, and went to my “fiancé” to break it off, I simply wouldn’t let the twat convince me to keep on courting. There was more annoying bullshit with the other woman and truly I have zero time for that I started skipping chunks of this audiobook.
**Spoiler** Literally he had to commit to marrying another woman to save her school RATHER THAN THEM JUST GETTING MARRIED. Make it make sense. And he was like yeah I gave her my word so we’re getting married! Good god. He was weak and let the other woman walk all over him, but honestly I would’ve too bc he was such a wimp. Like he was literally going to marry her?? He was begging her to renege on the agreement and when she was like “nah” he just gave up. There was no contract! Just fucking tell her to Argo fuck herself. The reason they ended up together was outside of their control at the end anyways so he didn’t actively make the decision to dump the other one.
Plus they screwed so fast considering how little they’d interacted before that. I kinda hate them both and hated this book for wasting my time. The scenes we got were short, random, and also made little sense.
December 16, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a cute class difference romance! The heroine works for school for girls and the hero shows up wanting his niece to start there. The niece is a bit rambunctious, but the heroine connects with her immediately. I really loved the girls at the school and the hero's niece. His backstory has a bit of angst in why he's hesitant to have a relationship with his niece, and I really enjoyed that! I do think it got annoying when the heroine pushed him away so much, and then the hero making a certain decision. But the setting was fun and the romance was fun, so I'm glad I ended up picking this up!
This was a cute class difference romance! The heroine works for school for girls and the hero shows up wanting his niece to start there. The niece is a bit rambunctious, but the heroine connects with her immediately. I really loved the girls at the school and the hero's niece. His backstory has a bit of angst in why he's hesitant to have a relationship with his niece, and I really enjoyed that! I do think it got annoying when the heroine pushed him away so much, and then the hero making a certain decision. But the setting was fun and the romance was fun, so I'm glad I ended up picking this up!
November 1, 2021
Oh, I loved the heck out of this book! Anna Bennett writes delicious heroes. Hazel and Blade felt so right together. I felt so much sympathy for what they'd gone through together and I am so glad they found each other. I loved the girls too. This was such a fun read, and I had a smile on my face when I finished it.
When I want a lighter Regency romance that hits all the notes, I know I can pick up an Anna Bennett and get exactly what I'm searching for.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin's Paperbacks via Netgalley for review for Affaire de Coeur Magazine.
When I want a lighter Regency romance that hits all the notes, I know I can pick up an Anna Bennett and get exactly what I'm searching for.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Advanced review copy provided by St. Martin's Paperbacks via Netgalley for review for Affaire de Coeur Magazine.
October 17, 2021
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication Dec 28th 2021
(Tropes: Spinster, Work Relationship, Love Triangle-ish, Forbidden Love, Opposite Attract)
I suspect a lot of people will quite enjoy this as it ticks a lot of boxes and tropes. But to me it was just that. It ticked a lot of boxes and tropes I have read a hundred times before, and nothing about the two characters really stood out to me. It felt very formulaic, and after a while I could not for the life of me distinguish this book from so many others I have read. I liked it, but if you are an avid romance reader this will quickly become forgotten. Also, the heroine’s progress from “innocent” spinster to one with surprising sexual confidence seemed unrealistic and jarred the book for me out of its’ time period.
2.5 - 3 stars
- “I’ve been called many things, Miss Lively, but ‘a grave lapse in judgment’ is quite possibly my favourite.” He tugged at the sleeves of his jacket and raised his chin, inordinately pleased with himself. “I’m honoured.”
- “Everyone in Bellehaven knows me as Miss Lively,” she said with a casual shrug.
“Yes, Miss Lively – the capable, calm, and confident headmistress.”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“Not at all. But I’ve seen another side of you – a part you shouldn’t keep locked away.”
- “I’m not immune to temptation,” she said breathlessly.
He leaned closer and touched his forehead to hers. Swept a thumb over her satin cheek. “Well,” he murmured, “should you ever decide to give into that temptation…or surrender to desire…you know where to find me.”
- They could give each other one night. One night to burn as brightly as they dared, so that years from now they’d have a memory to pull from the distant corners of their minds.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
(Tropes: Spinster, Work Relationship, Love Triangle-ish, Forbidden Love, Opposite Attract)
I suspect a lot of people will quite enjoy this as it ticks a lot of boxes and tropes. But to me it was just that. It ticked a lot of boxes and tropes I have read a hundred times before, and nothing about the two characters really stood out to me. It felt very formulaic, and after a while I could not for the life of me distinguish this book from so many others I have read. I liked it, but if you are an avid romance reader this will quickly become forgotten. Also, the heroine’s progress from “innocent” spinster to one with surprising sexual confidence seemed unrealistic and jarred the book for me out of its’ time period.
2.5 - 3 stars
- “I’ve been called many things, Miss Lively, but ‘a grave lapse in judgment’ is quite possibly my favourite.” He tugged at the sleeves of his jacket and raised his chin, inordinately pleased with himself. “I’m honoured.”
- “Everyone in Bellehaven knows me as Miss Lively,” she said with a casual shrug.
“Yes, Miss Lively – the capable, calm, and confident headmistress.”
“Is there something wrong with that?”
“Not at all. But I’ve seen another side of you – a part you shouldn’t keep locked away.”
- “I’m not immune to temptation,” she said breathlessly.
He leaned closer and touched his forehead to hers. Swept a thumb over her satin cheek. “Well,” he murmured, “should you ever decide to give into that temptation…or surrender to desire…you know where to find me.”
- They could give each other one night. One night to burn as brightly as they dared, so that years from now they’d have a memory to pull from the distant corners of their minds.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2021
Barbara’s rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Series: Rogues to Lovers #1
Publication Date: 12/28/21
Period: Regency – Bellehaven Bay, England
Number of Pages: 313
This was a very nicely written opener for a new series. The plotting and pacing are well done and I really liked the characters. I will mention that the quick and easy social acceptance between classes is anachronistic. Those characters all add greatly to the story, but I can’t picture the young woman who makes her living by catching and selling fish being invited to a grand ball being given by a countess. That isn’t the only anachronism, it is just the one that was foremost in my mind at the moment.
Hazel Lively was born into a very loving family whose father was a butcher. As the only child, there was love and hugs aplenty. Her father called her ‘his little hazelnut’. Then, at the age of nine, she lost them both (I don’t think we learned how) and she was thrown onto the mercy of the world. It appeared she was headed for the hard life of a foundling home until her lively, brilliant mind, and obsession with books won her a place at Miss Haywinkle’s School For Girls – as a charity student. Now, at the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Hazel has finally brought a long-held dream to reality. She’s moved to Bellhaven Bay and opened the Bellhaven Academy of Deportment. It is her dream to have enough students who can pay for their schooling so she can take on more ‘charity’ students. To be a success in all of that, she knows that she, her school, and even her students must keep their reputations beyond reproach. The slightest touch of scandal could cause parents to begin withdrawing their daughters. So, when an earl approached her about accepting his niece, who was his ward, as a boarding student, she was happy – until she heard the history of this young woman, encountered her attitude, and encountered the attitude of the earl. No, Hazel didn’t think Kitty Beckett would be a good fit for the school. Even when the earl offered to triple the tuition, she didn’t think it would be a good fit. Then, things happened, and she realized Kitty was a tragically lost young woman and needed her help.
Gabriel Beckett (his name was never used in the book, but it was in the blurb), Earl of Bladenton, known as Blade, was stunned to discover he had a niece and that she was now his ward. He and his younger brother had been estranged for many years and Blade had no idea his brother had a fifteen-year-old daughter. He had no idea what to do with a young woman other than put her in a boarding school – so that is what he proceeded to do. Kitty managed to get herself kicked out of school after school after school because of her bad behavior. By the time Blade got around to Bellehaven, he’d exhausted all of his other options and was willing to pay whatever he had to pay in order to get them to accept her – and KEEP her. However, those additional demands the Headmistress put on him – well, he’s not sure he can agree to those. Those demands would interfere too much with his life in London – particularly in his pursuit of Lady Penelope as his wife.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Hazel come to slowly (VERY slowly) realize there was life and happiness outside her school. Then, to see Blade come to realize (less slowly) that the life he was pursuing was a cold and ultimately lonely one and perhaps his chance for true love and happiness wasn’t in London at all.
Kitty was a delight to read. Watching her grow from a lost young lady to one who has opened herself to others, who accepts others, and who has come to truly love her uncle, was truly heartwarming. When Kitty and the other students at the school put their heads together – things happen – some good things, some not so good things – but happen they do.
I can definitely recommend with book and hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: Rogues to Lovers #1
Publication Date: 12/28/21
Period: Regency – Bellehaven Bay, England
Number of Pages: 313
This was a very nicely written opener for a new series. The plotting and pacing are well done and I really liked the characters. I will mention that the quick and easy social acceptance between classes is anachronistic. Those characters all add greatly to the story, but I can’t picture the young woman who makes her living by catching and selling fish being invited to a grand ball being given by a countess. That isn’t the only anachronism, it is just the one that was foremost in my mind at the moment.
Hazel Lively was born into a very loving family whose father was a butcher. As the only child, there was love and hugs aplenty. Her father called her ‘his little hazelnut’. Then, at the age of nine, she lost them both (I don’t think we learned how) and she was thrown onto the mercy of the world. It appeared she was headed for the hard life of a foundling home until her lively, brilliant mind, and obsession with books won her a place at Miss Haywinkle’s School For Girls – as a charity student. Now, at the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Hazel has finally brought a long-held dream to reality. She’s moved to Bellhaven Bay and opened the Bellhaven Academy of Deportment. It is her dream to have enough students who can pay for their schooling so she can take on more ‘charity’ students. To be a success in all of that, she knows that she, her school, and even her students must keep their reputations beyond reproach. The slightest touch of scandal could cause parents to begin withdrawing their daughters. So, when an earl approached her about accepting his niece, who was his ward, as a boarding student, she was happy – until she heard the history of this young woman, encountered her attitude, and encountered the attitude of the earl. No, Hazel didn’t think Kitty Beckett would be a good fit for the school. Even when the earl offered to triple the tuition, she didn’t think it would be a good fit. Then, things happened, and she realized Kitty was a tragically lost young woman and needed her help.
Gabriel Beckett (his name was never used in the book, but it was in the blurb), Earl of Bladenton, known as Blade, was stunned to discover he had a niece and that she was now his ward. He and his younger brother had been estranged for many years and Blade had no idea his brother had a fifteen-year-old daughter. He had no idea what to do with a young woman other than put her in a boarding school – so that is what he proceeded to do. Kitty managed to get herself kicked out of school after school after school because of her bad behavior. By the time Blade got around to Bellehaven, he’d exhausted all of his other options and was willing to pay whatever he had to pay in order to get them to accept her – and KEEP her. However, those additional demands the Headmistress put on him – well, he’s not sure he can agree to those. Those demands would interfere too much with his life in London – particularly in his pursuit of Lady Penelope as his wife.
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Hazel come to slowly (VERY slowly) realize there was life and happiness outside her school. Then, to see Blade come to realize (less slowly) that the life he was pursuing was a cold and ultimately lonely one and perhaps his chance for true love and happiness wasn’t in London at all.
Kitty was a delight to read. Watching her grow from a lost young lady to one who has opened herself to others, who accepts others, and who has come to truly love her uncle, was truly heartwarming. When Kitty and the other students at the school put their heads together – things happen – some good things, some not so good things – but happen they do.
I can definitely recommend with book and hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 23, 2021
Having grown up alone in a school for girls, Miss Hazel Lively knows how beneficial the experience can be for young girls - especially those with no where else to turn. She has finally found the means to open Bellehaven Academy, a school for girls, a place where the wealthy are willing to pay dearly for their daughters to learn the necessary skills for their coming out season . . . and a place where Hazel plans to take in less fortunate girls and offer them a safe haven like she received. Admittedly, she's off to a slow start with only five girls, but Hazel's ever hopeful business will pick up as her school's flawless reputation builds and word spreads. She needs wealthy students - so why does she turn down the Earl of Bladenton's request to enroll his orphaned, belligerent niece Kittie when he drags her into Hazel's office . . . mostly in an effort to get the girl out of his hair?
Hazel Lively is a strong woman surrounded by a protective shell about as hard as the Earl's head. While she's puzzled by the strange feelings stirred within her by Earl Gabriel Beckett aka Blade, she brushes them aside having learned long ago that love, lust and other such non-sense wasn't for her. Why at twenty-eight years of age, she's practically a spinster, the respected headmistress of a school for girls. Blade is a man at wit's end left to raise an orphaned niece he'd never met before her parents deaths - a girl who's been kicked out of at least three other finishing schools for her foolish pranks. In other words, he's desperate to park his niece at Bellehaven and return to his bachelor life in London including his soon-to-be fiance. He's dumbfounded when Hazel turns him down cold. How dare she refuse him! Let the games begin.
Girls Before Earls is a delightfully sweet, funny and touching historical romance story. Hazel was everything I love in an heroine - strong, sassy, smart and fighting her attraction to a man tooth and nail. Blade is damaged goods and knows it. Having been devastated by a woman who loved another, he's closed his heart to love, vowing he'll never let another woman close enough to hurt him again. Blade's willing to play, but he'll never stay. The author does a great job presenting characters that are authentic and well-fleshed out. I loved Hazel's interactions with her girls. The plot line is original and well-written with a few twists thrown in to keep characters and readers off-kilter. I read this book from cover to cover mostly in one sitting. Fans of historical romance will love this one. Highly recommended.
Special thanks to St Martins Press for an arc of this book.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
Hazel Lively is a strong woman surrounded by a protective shell about as hard as the Earl's head. While she's puzzled by the strange feelings stirred within her by Earl Gabriel Beckett aka Blade, she brushes them aside having learned long ago that love, lust and other such non-sense wasn't for her. Why at twenty-eight years of age, she's practically a spinster, the respected headmistress of a school for girls. Blade is a man at wit's end left to raise an orphaned niece he'd never met before her parents deaths - a girl who's been kicked out of at least three other finishing schools for her foolish pranks. In other words, he's desperate to park his niece at Bellehaven and return to his bachelor life in London including his soon-to-be fiance. He's dumbfounded when Hazel turns him down cold. How dare she refuse him! Let the games begin.
Girls Before Earls is a delightfully sweet, funny and touching historical romance story. Hazel was everything I love in an heroine - strong, sassy, smart and fighting her attraction to a man tooth and nail. Blade is damaged goods and knows it. Having been devastated by a woman who loved another, he's closed his heart to love, vowing he'll never let another woman close enough to hurt him again. Blade's willing to play, but he'll never stay. The author does a great job presenting characters that are authentic and well-fleshed out. I loved Hazel's interactions with her girls. The plot line is original and well-written with a few twists thrown in to keep characters and readers off-kilter. I read this book from cover to cover mostly in one sitting. Fans of historical romance will love this one. Highly recommended.
Special thanks to St Martins Press for an arc of this book.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
February 12, 2022
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy historical romance novel. It has beautiful, vividly described settings, a heart warming romance, likable, engaging, well-developed characters, a strong female protagonist, female empowerment, a lovely, touching description of what defines love, and a happily ever after ending. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in Ms. Bennett's outstanding, new, Rogues to Lovers series with great anticipation.
December 8, 2021
Miss Hazel Lively is finally realizing her life-long dream of opening a school for girls, and she must maintain a flawless reputation in order to attract new families. Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, is determined to enroll his troublesome niece at Hazel's Bellehaven Academy. Blade makes an offer that’s impossible for Hazel to refuse, but she has a condition of her own...one that leads to their close proximity and flirtation.
This is the first book in the Rogues to Lovers series. It's a charming story and just what I needed at the time I read it. I absolutely loved Hazel! As an orphaned child herself, she put so much love and care into the school and her girls. I had a few issues with Blade and what was happening with his life away from Hazel and his niece, but the end came together nicely; and I am looking forward to seeing the secondary characters develop through the rest of the series.
Tropes: Class Difference, Working Heroine, (not exactly) Enemies to Lovers
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #GirlsBeforeEarls #NetGalley
This is the first book in the Rogues to Lovers series. It's a charming story and just what I needed at the time I read it. I absolutely loved Hazel! As an orphaned child herself, she put so much love and care into the school and her girls. I had a few issues with Blade and what was happening with his life away from Hazel and his niece, but the end came together nicely; and I am looking forward to seeing the secondary characters develop through the rest of the series.
Tropes: Class Difference, Working Heroine, (not exactly) Enemies to Lovers
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #GirlsBeforeEarls #NetGalley
June 28, 2022
I read this entire book the last time I was sick simply because of the title, which checks out: this book is, indeed, about girls before earls.
There are two things you need to know about the protagonist, Hazel Lively. First, she will put nothing (I repeat NOTHING) above her vocation, which is running a school for girls in a seaside town. Secondly, she always wears a fichu. I had to look up this item of clothing because it plays such a prominent part in the story (the word "fichu" appears 21 times in the text). A fichu is apparently a modest scarf that you tie around your shoulders to hide your bosom. Initially, the roguish earl wants to remove Hazel's fichu. Then, he wants her to want to remove the fichu. Finally, we come full circle, and the earl doesn't even mind if Hazel keeps wearing her fichus forever. Now that's true love!
There are two things you need to know about the protagonist, Hazel Lively. First, she will put nothing (I repeat NOTHING) above her vocation, which is running a school for girls in a seaside town. Secondly, she always wears a fichu. I had to look up this item of clothing because it plays such a prominent part in the story (the word "fichu" appears 21 times in the text). A fichu is apparently a modest scarf that you tie around your shoulders to hide your bosom. Initially, the roguish earl wants to remove Hazel's fichu. Then, he wants her to want to remove the fichu. Finally, we come full circle, and the earl doesn't even mind if Hazel keeps wearing her fichus forever. Now that's true love!
December 28, 2022
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first book in Bennett’s Rogues to Lovers series.
Basic plot:
After his niece has been expelled from multiple schools, Blade is trying Bellehaven Academy to see if Miss Lively can reign her in.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1814)
- Beach side setting in England (get out of London!)
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and a short
- Child in the story – hero has a 15 year old niece in his care
- Touch of class difference – hero is an Earl and heroine runs a girls school
- Hero needs to marry and sire and heir (to prevent the title going to wastrel relatives)
- Working women
- You’re okay with some love triangle behavior
Ages:
- Heroine is 28. I didn’t catch the hero’s age, but he was engaged around the time his 15 year old niece was born so I’d guess mid-30s?
My thoughts:
I really wanted this book to work for me! I love Anna Bennett’s writing and I really enjoyed the seaside setting of this book. But ultimately this couple fell a little flat for me. I do have hang ups on other woman drama/love triangle so this won’t bother everyone.
The thing that got me about this book was I never felt the tension or pull between them. I was actually shocked at the first kiss because I was left asking ‘huh? Why??’ And I never grew to feel that pull or love between them. I also really disliked the fact that the hero was tentatively engaged to someone else and then went to the seaside kissing someone else pretty frequently. Which, you know, I could even get over that, but then the engagement lasted until almost the end of the book. Like wayyyyy too far for me. I was left feeling like I needed another book after this one for them to actually feel like they have a true HEA!
Still, I think overall it’s a sweet story and those without my hangups won’t have these issues. I enjoyed Blade having a niece that he’s trying to navigate a relationship with. And I loved Hazel’s story and background and opening her own girl’s school. I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 to try.
A few quotes
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the first book in Bennett’s Rogues to Lovers series.
Basic plot:
After his niece has been expelled from multiple schools, Blade is trying Bellehaven Academy to see if Miss Lively can reign her in.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1814)
- Beach side setting in England (get out of London!)
- Medium steam – 3 full scenes and a short
- Child in the story – hero has a 15 year old niece in his care
- Touch of class difference – hero is an Earl and heroine runs a girls school
- Hero needs to marry and sire and heir (to prevent the title going to wastrel relatives)
- Working women
- You’re okay with some love triangle behavior
Ages:
- Heroine is 28. I didn’t catch the hero’s age, but he was engaged around the time his 15 year old niece was born so I’d guess mid-30s?
My thoughts:
I really wanted this book to work for me! I love Anna Bennett’s writing and I really enjoyed the seaside setting of this book. But ultimately this couple fell a little flat for me. I do have hang ups on other woman drama/love triangle so this won’t bother everyone.
The thing that got me about this book was I never felt the tension or pull between them. I was actually shocked at the first kiss because I was left asking ‘huh? Why??’ And I never grew to feel that pull or love between them. I also really disliked the fact that the hero was tentatively engaged to someone else and then went to the seaside kissing someone else pretty frequently. Which, you know, I could even get over that, but then the engagement lasted until almost the end of the book. Like wayyyyy too far for me. I was left feeling like I needed another book after this one for them to actually feel like they have a true HEA!
Still, I think overall it’s a sweet story and those without my hangups won’t have these issues. I enjoyed Blade having a niece that he’s trying to navigate a relationship with. And I loved Hazel’s story and background and opening her own girl’s school. I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 to try.
A few quotes
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
September 26, 2021
Girls Before Earls is an entertaining and layered historical romance with great messages about family, grief, society, and love. Miss Hazel Lively is a strong, independent woman who has devoted her life to helping young girls. Adamant that all girls, regardless of social class, deserve the same opportunities, Hazel opens a school to girls of all social stations. A lover of books and learning, Hazel is determined to make her school a success, and when the Earl of Bladenton enrolls his niece, it seems her prospects are looking up. However, Blade’s niece Kitty is a handful, and Hazel’s feelings for Blade are less than professional.
Blade doesn’t believe in love. Determined to enter a marriage of convenience, Blade intends to leave Kitty in Hazel’s capable hands so that he can ensure his engagement to a woman of the ton. However, when Hazel makes his involvement in Kitty’s life part of their arrangement, Blade finds himself returning to Bellhaven Academy to visit Kitty and developing feelings for the proper and intelligent headmistress.
Though very different, Hazel and Blade both keep people at a distance. For different reasons, neither let anyone get too close, and neither are looking for love. Hazel is committed to her school, and Blade has been burned by love in the past, which swore him off love forever. On top of that, they are from different social classes, they live in different places, and they have different goals. However, this couple has explosive chemistry from their first meeting, and their feelings are undeniable (as much as they try to deny them!). Theirs is a case of opposites attract, and these opposites have an amazing connection. Their budding relationship is equal parts sweet, romantic, fun, angst-filled, and sensual.
I love the found family aspect of the story and how Hazel connects with other motherless women. She, Poppy ( local woman), and Kitty all lost their mothers at a young age, and this creates a bond between them. They can relate to each other and understand each other because they are all motherless daughters. At one point in the story, Poppy asks if the other’s ever wonder how different their lives would be if their mothers were still alive. I found this scene really powerful and relatable. I lost my mother eleven years ago, and I often wonder how my life would be different if she were still here. The author does a wonderful job of showing how the loss of a beloved parent changes a person, and the character’s thoughts about grief and loss are relatable, realistic, and powerful. I also love that Kitty, Poppy, and Hazel find support in each other and form their own family or sisterhood.
I also love how Blade and Kitty grow closer as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Kitty and Blade barely know each other. Estranged from Kitty’s parents, Blade is stunned to learn that he was chosen to care for her, and he struggles to connect with his difficult niece. However, with Hazel’s help, Kitty and Blade begin to develop a bond and a mutual regard for each other. This relationship changes both of them for the better.
Girls Before Earls (love that title!) is an entertaining, romantic, and sweet story with great characters, a beautiful seaside setting, and wonderful messages. The story examines some thought-provoking topics, including the unfair expectations put on different social classes, the consequences of loss and betrayal, the importance of honor and reputation, and the difficulties of being a woman during this time period. I wholly recommend this book to lovers of historical romance and am excited to read the next book in the Rogues to Lovers series. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, and Anna Bennett for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Blade doesn’t believe in love. Determined to enter a marriage of convenience, Blade intends to leave Kitty in Hazel’s capable hands so that he can ensure his engagement to a woman of the ton. However, when Hazel makes his involvement in Kitty’s life part of their arrangement, Blade finds himself returning to Bellhaven Academy to visit Kitty and developing feelings for the proper and intelligent headmistress.
Though very different, Hazel and Blade both keep people at a distance. For different reasons, neither let anyone get too close, and neither are looking for love. Hazel is committed to her school, and Blade has been burned by love in the past, which swore him off love forever. On top of that, they are from different social classes, they live in different places, and they have different goals. However, this couple has explosive chemistry from their first meeting, and their feelings are undeniable (as much as they try to deny them!). Theirs is a case of opposites attract, and these opposites have an amazing connection. Their budding relationship is equal parts sweet, romantic, fun, angst-filled, and sensual.
I love the found family aspect of the story and how Hazel connects with other motherless women. She, Poppy ( local woman), and Kitty all lost their mothers at a young age, and this creates a bond between them. They can relate to each other and understand each other because they are all motherless daughters. At one point in the story, Poppy asks if the other’s ever wonder how different their lives would be if their mothers were still alive. I found this scene really powerful and relatable. I lost my mother eleven years ago, and I often wonder how my life would be different if she were still here. The author does a wonderful job of showing how the loss of a beloved parent changes a person, and the character’s thoughts about grief and loss are relatable, realistic, and powerful. I also love that Kitty, Poppy, and Hazel find support in each other and form their own family or sisterhood.
I also love how Blade and Kitty grow closer as the story progresses. At the beginning of the novel, Kitty and Blade barely know each other. Estranged from Kitty’s parents, Blade is stunned to learn that he was chosen to care for her, and he struggles to connect with his difficult niece. However, with Hazel’s help, Kitty and Blade begin to develop a bond and a mutual regard for each other. This relationship changes both of them for the better.
Girls Before Earls (love that title!) is an entertaining, romantic, and sweet story with great characters, a beautiful seaside setting, and wonderful messages. The story examines some thought-provoking topics, including the unfair expectations put on different social classes, the consequences of loss and betrayal, the importance of honor and reputation, and the difficulties of being a woman during this time period. I wholly recommend this book to lovers of historical romance and am excited to read the next book in the Rogues to Lovers series. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, and Anna Bennett for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
December 16, 2021
Girls Before Earls is the start of a new series, Rogues to Lovers, by Anna Bennett. I loved this super sweet story so much and cannot wait for more in the series! I adored everything in this read…the romance between the Earl and the headmistress, being set outside of London, the small seaside village life, the real friendships the heroine has with the women and schoolgirls in her life.
Miss Hazel Lively is 28 and has finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. Orphaned at just 9-years-old herself, Hazel knows how important a safe place and a good school is for girls. Hazel believes every girl has the potential to flourish if given a chance, regardless of their station in life, and cannot wait to welcome them all to her school. She has opened Bellehaven Academy in the small seaside resort town outside of London and now all she needs now is students, especially the sort that could pay for the tuition.
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has his hands full with his ward, his 15-year-old niece Kitty. Kitty has been expelled from two London schools already and is scaring off Blade’s potential fiancée. When he finds Bellehaven Academy, Blade knows it’ll be the perfect place to drop his niece off as he desperately needs her somewhere safe, and far away from London, for the summer. Hazel is wary of taking in Kitty since she is still trying to get a good reputation going for her school, bur when Blade sees how desperate Hazel’s new school is for students, and especially funds, he offers 3 times the usual tuition to get Kitty in. He promises to also sing the praises of the school to all his well-connected friends. Hazel accepts on one condition, she knows how important it is for Kitty to not feel abandoned and requests that every other week, Blade must come and visit with his niece.
I just adored this story. The romance was sweet, steamy, and I believed in Blade and Hazel’s chemistry. Both have experiences loss and abandonment in their pasts and have taken away something different from their experiences, while Hazel wants all-encompassing love and her own family one day, Blade is wary to love and suffer loss again. I also really liked Hazel’s relationships with her students, she understood Kitty and the other girls so well and wanted only the best for them. I loved the respect and patience she had for the girls and how she helped to cultivate things they showed an interest in (sketching, sewing/making clothes, reading, etc). This was filled with lots of seaside adventures: trips to the beach, a summer regatta race, picnics, swimming, searching for fossils, etc. I just loved the setting and all the characters so much and was so happy to read about their adventures! I’ve read just a few other books from Anna Bennett before and I am so excited for more.
4.5 stars/rounded up on GR. Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. Girls Before Earls has a publish date of December 28, 2021.
Miss Hazel Lively is 28 and has finally realized her life-long dream of opening a school for girls. Orphaned at just 9-years-old herself, Hazel knows how important a safe place and a good school is for girls. Hazel believes every girl has the potential to flourish if given a chance, regardless of their station in life, and cannot wait to welcome them all to her school. She has opened Bellehaven Academy in the small seaside resort town outside of London and now all she needs now is students, especially the sort that could pay for the tuition.
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has his hands full with his ward, his 15-year-old niece Kitty. Kitty has been expelled from two London schools already and is scaring off Blade’s potential fiancée. When he finds Bellehaven Academy, Blade knows it’ll be the perfect place to drop his niece off as he desperately needs her somewhere safe, and far away from London, for the summer. Hazel is wary of taking in Kitty since she is still trying to get a good reputation going for her school, bur when Blade sees how desperate Hazel’s new school is for students, and especially funds, he offers 3 times the usual tuition to get Kitty in. He promises to also sing the praises of the school to all his well-connected friends. Hazel accepts on one condition, she knows how important it is for Kitty to not feel abandoned and requests that every other week, Blade must come and visit with his niece.
I just adored this story. The romance was sweet, steamy, and I believed in Blade and Hazel’s chemistry. Both have experiences loss and abandonment in their pasts and have taken away something different from their experiences, while Hazel wants all-encompassing love and her own family one day, Blade is wary to love and suffer loss again. I also really liked Hazel’s relationships with her students, she understood Kitty and the other girls so well and wanted only the best for them. I loved the respect and patience she had for the girls and how she helped to cultivate things they showed an interest in (sketching, sewing/making clothes, reading, etc). This was filled with lots of seaside adventures: trips to the beach, a summer regatta race, picnics, swimming, searching for fossils, etc. I just loved the setting and all the characters so much and was so happy to read about their adventures! I’ve read just a few other books from Anna Bennett before and I am so excited for more.
4.5 stars/rounded up on GR. Thank you to the publisher (St. Martin’s Press, SMP Romance) for an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts & review. Girls Before Earls has a publish date of December 28, 2021.
December 27, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I read a novella by Anna Bennett and loved her style and characters, so I went looking for more. Ms. Bennett writes a wonderful Historical Romance with a light touch and wonderful characters. I especially loved that the Bellehaven Academy girls all came together and were the family that Hazel needed when she needed them most.
Miss Hazel Lively was orphaned at a young age and only her intelligence saved her from a not so nice life. Her upbringing and love of books led her to open her own school for girls in the resort town of Bellehaven. Now, all she needs is for the wealthy to send her their daughters to her to educate. That way she can offer help to those girls, like her, who need a helping hand. Her plan is working, but she is in need of additional wealthy families to make it a success and a handsome earl could be just what she needs.
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a very unwelcome change to his family. His 15 year old niece has lost both her parents in an accident and he is now her only surviving family and her guardian. She is not adjusting well and neither is he. She has been expelled from two boarding schools in London and is throwing a wrench in his plans to court and win the woman of his choice, a woman who wouldn't require any thing of him beyond his name and rank. Quite simply put: he's desperate. Putting his niece in Bellehaven Academy, well away from London, is the perfect solution to his problem, but the headmistress, and her demands of him to actually spend time with the chit, could be a problem. Actually, the beautiful headmistress herself could be the real problem.
As Blade makes his visits to his niece, he soon discovers he quite enjoys matching wits with Hazel far more than he wants to. Blade is drawn to the competent Hazel and wants nothing more than to
make her his countess, but Hazel wants a real family with a man who loves her and is willing to share his heart. That is something Blade did once, got it stomped to pieces, and is never going to do again.
I read a novella by Anna Bennett and loved her style and characters, so I went looking for more. Ms. Bennett writes a wonderful Historical Romance with a light touch and wonderful characters. I especially loved that the Bellehaven Academy girls all came together and were the family that Hazel needed when she needed them most.
Miss Hazel Lively was orphaned at a young age and only her intelligence saved her from a not so nice life. Her upbringing and love of books led her to open her own school for girls in the resort town of Bellehaven. Now, all she needs is for the wealthy to send her their daughters to her to educate. That way she can offer help to those girls, like her, who need a helping hand. Her plan is working, but she is in need of additional wealthy families to make it a success and a handsome earl could be just what she needs.
Gabriel Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, has had a very unwelcome change to his family. His 15 year old niece has lost both her parents in an accident and he is now her only surviving family and her guardian. She is not adjusting well and neither is he. She has been expelled from two boarding schools in London and is throwing a wrench in his plans to court and win the woman of his choice, a woman who wouldn't require any thing of him beyond his name and rank. Quite simply put: he's desperate. Putting his niece in Bellehaven Academy, well away from London, is the perfect solution to his problem, but the headmistress, and her demands of him to actually spend time with the chit, could be a problem. Actually, the beautiful headmistress herself could be the real problem.
As Blade makes his visits to his niece, he soon discovers he quite enjoys matching wits with Hazel far more than he wants to. Blade is drawn to the competent Hazel and wants nothing more than to
make her his countess, but Hazel wants a real family with a man who loves her and is willing to share his heart. That is something Blade did once, got it stomped to pieces, and is never going to do again.
December 19, 2021
Girls Before Earls is a fast-paced, enjoyable historical romance. We've got an earl with a difficult ward, a headmistress with a heart of gold, and a cast of supporting characters who all add some flavor to the novel. That said, it can be frustrating when our main characters don't act in their own best interests. What exactly was keeping Hazel and Blade apart once they both determined they wanted to spend their lives together? Especially considering Hazel's commitment to her young students, her refusal of his suit was a bit baffling.
All in all, though, if you're looking for a light read without too much angst, this is a good candidate.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
All in all, though, if you're looking for a light read without too much angst, this is a good candidate.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
January 20, 2022
Orphaned at a young age, Hazel Lively learned to cope by seeking refuge in books and keeping her feelings hidden beneath a tough exterior. Now she has opened the school she always dreamed of in a picturesque seaside resort town in the hopes that well-to-do families who spend their summers there will entrust her with the education of their daughters. The more wealthy patrons she attracts, the more orphans she’ll be able to take in. Hazel just has to keep her reputation pristine and work on raising those funds, which should all be doable, if she could stop thinking about the all too handsome earl who has just enrolled his niece at her school.
Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, is looking for a place for his teenage niece since she’s already been expelled from two boarding schools and is very near to frightening away the lady he is trying to court. Blade hopes to enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy and head back to London. He just has to charm the mistress into taking her on.
With the earl agreeing to pay a much larger than usual sum for tuition, Hazel can hardly decline to accept his niece, but she stipulates that he must come to visit the girl every other week. Blade quickly comes to realize that Hazel hides quite a lot beneath her buttoned-up persona and their verbal bantering leads to an undeniable flirtation that soon blooms into something much more serious. But when their passion becomes a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s fragile heart, it seems they will be forced to go their separate ways.
This book was unexpectedly fun for me. Yes, there was a bit of angst and a very convincing villain, but it was glaringly obvious that Blade and Hazel were meant to be together, and nothing was going to keep that from happening. I loved that both Blade and Hazel had issues to work through and underwent a good amount of character development that ultimately brought them together. They were both leery of being hurt but in the end they each wanted the same thing. I really enjoyed how they healed each other and how each worked toward the happiness of the other. I loved that Hazel wanted love and a family and refused to settle for anything less, but I especially loved that she had the courage to be open about that with Blade and to show him that he wasn’t as damaged as he’d thought and was indeed capable of love himself. Sure, both Blade and Hazel got in the way of their own happiness a time or two, but for some reason I was willing to forgive them for it, probably thanks to the maturity of their dealings with each other and that surety I kept feeling that they absolutely had to wind up together. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and its setting, and I’m looking forward to more installments in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, is looking for a place for his teenage niece since she’s already been expelled from two boarding schools and is very near to frightening away the lady he is trying to court. Blade hopes to enroll his niece at Bellehaven Academy and head back to London. He just has to charm the mistress into taking her on.
With the earl agreeing to pay a much larger than usual sum for tuition, Hazel can hardly decline to accept his niece, but she stipulates that he must come to visit the girl every other week. Blade quickly comes to realize that Hazel hides quite a lot beneath her buttoned-up persona and their verbal bantering leads to an undeniable flirtation that soon blooms into something much more serious. But when their passion becomes a threat to Hazel’s school and Blade’s fragile heart, it seems they will be forced to go their separate ways.
This book was unexpectedly fun for me. Yes, there was a bit of angst and a very convincing villain, but it was glaringly obvious that Blade and Hazel were meant to be together, and nothing was going to keep that from happening. I loved that both Blade and Hazel had issues to work through and underwent a good amount of character development that ultimately brought them together. They were both leery of being hurt but in the end they each wanted the same thing. I really enjoyed how they healed each other and how each worked toward the happiness of the other. I loved that Hazel wanted love and a family and refused to settle for anything less, but I especially loved that she had the courage to be open about that with Blade and to show him that he wasn’t as damaged as he’d thought and was indeed capable of love himself. Sure, both Blade and Hazel got in the way of their own happiness a time or two, but for some reason I was willing to forgive them for it, probably thanks to the maturity of their dealings with each other and that surety I kept feeling that they absolutely had to wind up together. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and its setting, and I’m looking forward to more installments in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
November 29, 2021
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After being given a chance at a school, and thriving, Miss Hazel Lively has always dreamed of having her own school, and helping girls, both rich and poor, achieve their own goals. Opening the Bellehaven Academy was a dream, but there's few girls enrolled, and money is tight. What she needs is for a prestigious member of society to choose her school, rather than another finishing school, and when the Earl of Bladeton appears, with his wayward niece in tow, this may be her chance. Blade is coming to the end of his tether with Kitty, who's already been kicked out of two other schools, and ruining his courtship with a potential fiancee. He's hoping a distant school, in the small town of Bellehaven, will put her on the right track, but Hazel can see that all Kitty wants is love and attention following her parents deaths, so she agrees to take Kitty, but only if Blade returns every fortnight to spend time with his last surviving family member. As Kitty matures, and Blade and Hazel are thrown together, it's seems as if their own feelings are at risk, but can they weather the storm together?
I really enjoyed this book. As soon as I started it, it was clear that both of the main characters were nuanced, and had histories which made them vulnerable, and I was hooked. The characters, both good and bad, were so well written, as was the plot, that it was like seeing a film play out in front of you. The romance between Hazel and Blade was sweet, and passionate, but what I loved the most was the family aspect to the story. Blade had been burnt by love before, and hadn't spoken to his family when he learnt his brother and sister-in-law had died, and he had the guardianship of a niece he was completely unaware of. He thought he would be able to keep Kitty away from him, and marry the widow who would be perfect - not someone he could fall in love with, but someone suited to be a countess, and mother of his heir. However, meeting Hazel, and the, initially forced, time with Kitty, showed him what it was like to care for someone, and to be a part of a family, and I was so pleased with how well they all became a family unit. I hated the fiancee, and was so glad with how that plot line was dealt with - I think she might reappear in subsequent books, but for the time being, she got what she deserved. A fantastic start to a new series!
After being given a chance at a school, and thriving, Miss Hazel Lively has always dreamed of having her own school, and helping girls, both rich and poor, achieve their own goals. Opening the Bellehaven Academy was a dream, but there's few girls enrolled, and money is tight. What she needs is for a prestigious member of society to choose her school, rather than another finishing school, and when the Earl of Bladeton appears, with his wayward niece in tow, this may be her chance. Blade is coming to the end of his tether with Kitty, who's already been kicked out of two other schools, and ruining his courtship with a potential fiancee. He's hoping a distant school, in the small town of Bellehaven, will put her on the right track, but Hazel can see that all Kitty wants is love and attention following her parents deaths, so she agrees to take Kitty, but only if Blade returns every fortnight to spend time with his last surviving family member. As Kitty matures, and Blade and Hazel are thrown together, it's seems as if their own feelings are at risk, but can they weather the storm together?
I really enjoyed this book. As soon as I started it, it was clear that both of the main characters were nuanced, and had histories which made them vulnerable, and I was hooked. The characters, both good and bad, were so well written, as was the plot, that it was like seeing a film play out in front of you. The romance between Hazel and Blade was sweet, and passionate, but what I loved the most was the family aspect to the story. Blade had been burnt by love before, and hadn't spoken to his family when he learnt his brother and sister-in-law had died, and he had the guardianship of a niece he was completely unaware of. He thought he would be able to keep Kitty away from him, and marry the widow who would be perfect - not someone he could fall in love with, but someone suited to be a countess, and mother of his heir. However, meeting Hazel, and the, initially forced, time with Kitty, showed him what it was like to care for someone, and to be a part of a family, and I was so pleased with how well they all became a family unit. I hated the fiancee, and was so glad with how that plot line was dealt with - I think she might reappear in subsequent books, but for the time being, she got what she deserved. A fantastic start to a new series!
December 12, 2021
4.5 stars
This was such an enjoyable read: an engaging romance, interesting characters and cozy setting.
Hazel Lively and Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, meet when he tries to enroll his niece at her school. Off to a rocky start their relationship slowly turns to a friendship with a lot of sizzling tension between them. The chemistry these two had really sold me on this book.
I really enjoyed the port-town setting of this book, as it was not just window dressing but an integral part of the story. Additionally the story had an interesting supporting cast of characters, who felt like fleshed out individuals without them taking over parts of the story.
Altogether a very engaging, if predictable, story I read grinning from ear to ear.
I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This was such an enjoyable read: an engaging romance, interesting characters and cozy setting.
Hazel Lively and Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, meet when he tries to enroll his niece at her school. Off to a rocky start their relationship slowly turns to a friendship with a lot of sizzling tension between them. The chemistry these two had really sold me on this book.
I really enjoyed the port-town setting of this book, as it was not just window dressing but an integral part of the story. Additionally the story had an interesting supporting cast of characters, who felt like fleshed out individuals without them taking over parts of the story.
Altogether a very engaging, if predictable, story I read grinning from ear to ear.
I was provided an e-ARC by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 18, 2023
This was really fun! I love the hideaway/school house told that Anna has built for these characters. The side characters in this book were really excellent. Is it weird that I want to know the deal with the countess and the viscount but I don’t like them enough to feel they can have their own book. I’m hoping to get glimpses of them through the series.
I really loved Hazel and Blades journey not only finding love with each other but with the people around them.
I can’t wait to read Poppy and Kitty’s stories!
I really loved Hazel and Blades journey not only finding love with each other but with the people around them.
I can’t wait to read Poppy and Kitty’s stories!
December 31, 2022
new to me author, that I will read more from in the future...
December 23, 2023
Girls Before Earls was an amazing read featuring a romance between a woman running a girls' school and the guardian of her newest student.
Miss Hazel Lively has dreamed of opening a school for girls since she was a girl herself and now that dream is finally a reality. Hoping to help some of the less fortunate students, Hazel needs to attract wealthy families to subsidize the cost. All she needs to do is maintain her flawless reputation and get someone in the ton to take a chance on her school. Then Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, arrives and wants to enroll his niece who has been expelled from multiple boarding schools already. Hazel is hesitant to enroll the girl but when Blade makes her an offer she can't refuse, she agrees on the condition Blade visit his niece every other week. Soon Hazel begins to see a side of Blade that's unexpected and she finds herself falling for him putting her heart and her school on the line.
Hazel and Blade's relationship is fantastic from the start. The chemistry between the two is amazing and I loved the little moments between them whenever Blade came to visit Kitty. Due to Blade's past, he's resistant to the idea of ever falling in love or marrying which definitely slowed down his and Hazel's relationship a bit. I liked how the two worked through that and I thought their relationship became stronger because of it. The ending where Hazel's students came together to help the two move things along was very sweet.
The situation with Kitty and Blade is quite tense at the start of the book. Kitty's parents have died (her father being Blade's brother) and she becomes Blade's ward as a result. Blade doesn't think he knows how to take care of someone else and Kitty believes Blade just doesn't want her. Hazel's requirement for the bi-weekly visits greatly helps the two's relationship as they slowly get to know one another and it no longer seems like Blade is just trying to abandon her. I really enjoyed how close the two became and it was nice to see how much they both grew throughout the book.
Overall Girls Before Earls was a fantastic book and I will definitely be continuing with the series soon.
Miss Hazel Lively has dreamed of opening a school for girls since she was a girl herself and now that dream is finally a reality. Hoping to help some of the less fortunate students, Hazel needs to attract wealthy families to subsidize the cost. All she needs to do is maintain her flawless reputation and get someone in the ton to take a chance on her school. Then Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton, arrives and wants to enroll his niece who has been expelled from multiple boarding schools already. Hazel is hesitant to enroll the girl but when Blade makes her an offer she can't refuse, she agrees on the condition Blade visit his niece every other week. Soon Hazel begins to see a side of Blade that's unexpected and she finds herself falling for him putting her heart and her school on the line.
Hazel and Blade's relationship is fantastic from the start. The chemistry between the two is amazing and I loved the little moments between them whenever Blade came to visit Kitty. Due to Blade's past, he's resistant to the idea of ever falling in love or marrying which definitely slowed down his and Hazel's relationship a bit. I liked how the two worked through that and I thought their relationship became stronger because of it. The ending where Hazel's students came together to help the two move things along was very sweet.
The situation with Kitty and Blade is quite tense at the start of the book. Kitty's parents have died (her father being Blade's brother) and she becomes Blade's ward as a result. Blade doesn't think he knows how to take care of someone else and Kitty believes Blade just doesn't want her. Hazel's requirement for the bi-weekly visits greatly helps the two's relationship as they slowly get to know one another and it no longer seems like Blade is just trying to abandon her. I really enjoyed how close the two became and it was nice to see how much they both grew throughout the book.
Overall Girls Before Earls was a fantastic book and I will definitely be continuing with the series soon.
October 2, 2021
Girls before Earls, by Anna Bennett. What a smashing good book this was. I absolutely loved all the characters. Well, Penelope I would place her on her own island. This romantic story spoiled me with all the love from family and friends.
The story showed how not only love, but strength, courage, determination, trust, confidence and believing in the people you care about helped make this book, a book worth reading. First of all I think I’m head over heels in love Gabriel. The man knows how to service a lady in need of some pleasure. Take me to the beach under the stars anytime, Gabriel. Hazel was blessed to have this man come into her life.
I thought Hazel was magnificent. She held her own and stared down on Penelope without fear. I liked that the author placed Hazels age at twenty eight. I definitely loved that Hazels character was a natural woman who has needs, and didn’t shy away from those needs when all that she wanted to do was, climb on Gabriel like a monkey in heat. When it came to these scenes between Gabriel and Hazel I thought the writer did a good job with giving her readers, a behind the closed door look.
Gabriel and Hazel were not the only stars of this book. I loved Gabriel’s niece, Kitty. The girl was master of being devious. I would have left in the boat a little longer though. I’m anxious to read Poppy’s story when it comes time for her to shine.
I think that this story was told in a clear way. I understood what was happening in each scene. The details that were given provided a descriptive vision for me while reading the book. I enjoyed the excitement and the entertainment from the whole book. I give this book two snaps and a twist.
Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
The story showed how not only love, but strength, courage, determination, trust, confidence and believing in the people you care about helped make this book, a book worth reading. First of all I think I’m head over heels in love Gabriel. The man knows how to service a lady in need of some pleasure. Take me to the beach under the stars anytime, Gabriel. Hazel was blessed to have this man come into her life.
I thought Hazel was magnificent. She held her own and stared down on Penelope without fear. I liked that the author placed Hazels age at twenty eight. I definitely loved that Hazels character was a natural woman who has needs, and didn’t shy away from those needs when all that she wanted to do was, climb on Gabriel like a monkey in heat. When it came to these scenes between Gabriel and Hazel I thought the writer did a good job with giving her readers, a behind the closed door look.
Gabriel and Hazel were not the only stars of this book. I loved Gabriel’s niece, Kitty. The girl was master of being devious. I would have left in the boat a little longer though. I’m anxious to read Poppy’s story when it comes time for her to shine.
I think that this story was told in a clear way. I understood what was happening in each scene. The details that were given provided a descriptive vision for me while reading the book. I enjoyed the excitement and the entertainment from the whole book. I give this book two snaps and a twist.
Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
March 9, 2022
DNF @ 26%
The niece is the only interesting character to me. The main couple only seem to be getting together because they are attracted to one another, but I don't really feel their chemistry so I'm stopping here.
The niece is the only interesting character to me. The main couple only seem to be getting together because they are attracted to one another, but I don't really feel their chemistry so I'm stopping here.
January 29, 2024
The hero is the Earl of Bladenton but introduces himself as “Blade” - at this point I’m like, ok this is a silly one, I won’t take it seriously.
All the MCs have is attraction and they can’t stop thinking of each other like 10% in and no evidence of real romantic connection develops from there. The hero’s POV is literally just lusting after the heroine.
A problem I have with modern HR writers is they create these flawless heroes, which makes the romance lack conflict so they just have the heroine refuse the hero for arbitrary reasons. An obvious conflict for this book would’ve been the earl refusing to have his wife run a school (totally normal for this time period and his station) but that’s not the case, from the get-go he offers to fund it and have it prosper. And she says no.
Why? Well the hero has been very open about how he struggles with expressing attachment due to his traumatic past. (Yes, his level of self-awareness is ridiculous.) Despite, how sweet and caring he’s been, she needs a declaration of love, even if the poor orphan girls who depend on her have to suffer because of it. The text even says she knows he does have feelings for her but since he won’t say the 3 words, it’s a no. This just makes her come off as a selfish asshole. It also happens like 40% of the way in so the rest of the book is just doubling down, making the stakes higher.
What makes this even more ironic is her school is on the brink of closure because it lacks connection to the ton and titles, the heroine literally needs the Earl to keep it alive. Part of her plan to use him to this end is to push him to marry someone he doesn’t love.
But still we get dialogue like this:
“I will always want what will make you happy even if it’s not happy for me” - the heroine after the hero pours his heart out to her
“I wish I didn’t have to choose between you and my school.” - like wtf are you talking about
Besides all this foolish romantic conflict, every part of the plot was incredibly weak. There’s nothing wrong with the writing but this storyline was incredibly lazy and the plot being so senseless was offensive to me.
All the MCs have is attraction and they can’t stop thinking of each other like 10% in and no evidence of real romantic connection develops from there. The hero’s POV is literally just lusting after the heroine.
A problem I have with modern HR writers is they create these flawless heroes, which makes the romance lack conflict so they just have the heroine refuse the hero for arbitrary reasons. An obvious conflict for this book would’ve been the earl refusing to have his wife run a school (totally normal for this time period and his station) but that’s not the case, from the get-go he offers to fund it and have it prosper. And she says no.
Why? Well the hero has been very open about how he struggles with expressing attachment due to his traumatic past. (Yes, his level of self-awareness is ridiculous.) Despite, how sweet and caring he’s been, she needs a declaration of love, even if the poor orphan girls who depend on her have to suffer because of it. The text even says she knows he does have feelings for her but since he won’t say the 3 words, it’s a no. This just makes her come off as a selfish asshole. It also happens like 40% of the way in so the rest of the book is just doubling down, making the stakes higher.
What makes this even more ironic is her school is on the brink of closure because it lacks connection to the ton and titles, the heroine literally needs the Earl to keep it alive. Part of her plan to use him to this end is to push him to marry someone he doesn’t love.
But still we get dialogue like this:
“I will always want what will make you happy even if it’s not happy for me” - the heroine after the hero pours his heart out to her
“I wish I didn’t have to choose between you and my school.” - like wtf are you talking about
Besides all this foolish romantic conflict, every part of the plot was incredibly weak. There’s nothing wrong with the writing but this storyline was incredibly lazy and the plot being so senseless was offensive to me.
December 29, 2021
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Anna Bennett has kicked her Rogues to Lovers series with a bang. Girls Before Earls is an entertaining, fun, heartwarming read with a romance that will make you smile and sigh.
As a child, school saved Hazel Lively. Her determination, love of learning, and caring heart have her now opening her own school in the seaside town of Bellehaven. To keep her doors open and take in more girls who can’t afford school, she also needs the daughters of wealthy families to attend her school. Enter the Earl of Bladenton. Blade closed off his heart after it was broken by his childhood love. But now he’s in charge of his orphan niece, a bright fifteen-year-old who keeps getting herself kicked out of London schools. Hazel’s school is his last chance, but he doesn’t expect to find the buttoned-up mistress so intriguing. And Hazel, who has closed herself off but secretly desires true love, can’t resist Blade even though his station and determination to wall off his heart make him an incompatible match. I really liked the chemistry between Hazel and Blade, enjoyed how they couldn’t resist each other because they simply fit. They come alive in each other’s company and become their best selves with each other. It’s not a smooth road to happily ever after, but the bumps in the road are worth it. Their romance is sweet, engaging, and ultimately delightful.
Bennett brings the world of Bellehaven to life in Girls Before Earls and I loved the picturesque seaside town. The supporting cast made me smile and there are characters I definitely want to see get books of their own. I really enjoyed all the female relationships in this story, both when it came to friendships and to made families. In a lot of ways, Bellehaven and some of its residents reminded me of the TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sanditon, which is likely why I was so charmed by it. All in all, I adored Hazel and Blade’s story and I cannot wait to see what Bennet has in store for the next Rogues to Lovers book.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Anna Bennett has kicked her Rogues to Lovers series with a bang. Girls Before Earls is an entertaining, fun, heartwarming read with a romance that will make you smile and sigh.
As a child, school saved Hazel Lively. Her determination, love of learning, and caring heart have her now opening her own school in the seaside town of Bellehaven. To keep her doors open and take in more girls who can’t afford school, she also needs the daughters of wealthy families to attend her school. Enter the Earl of Bladenton. Blade closed off his heart after it was broken by his childhood love. But now he’s in charge of his orphan niece, a bright fifteen-year-old who keeps getting herself kicked out of London schools. Hazel’s school is his last chance, but he doesn’t expect to find the buttoned-up mistress so intriguing. And Hazel, who has closed herself off but secretly desires true love, can’t resist Blade even though his station and determination to wall off his heart make him an incompatible match. I really liked the chemistry between Hazel and Blade, enjoyed how they couldn’t resist each other because they simply fit. They come alive in each other’s company and become their best selves with each other. It’s not a smooth road to happily ever after, but the bumps in the road are worth it. Their romance is sweet, engaging, and ultimately delightful.
Bennett brings the world of Bellehaven to life in Girls Before Earls and I loved the picturesque seaside town. The supporting cast made me smile and there are characters I definitely want to see get books of their own. I really enjoyed all the female relationships in this story, both when it came to friendships and to made families. In a lot of ways, Bellehaven and some of its residents reminded me of the TV adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sanditon, which is likely why I was so charmed by it. All in all, I adored Hazel and Blade’s story and I cannot wait to see what Bennet has in store for the next Rogues to Lovers book.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Read
February 11, 2023What was the point of this book?? Nothing made sense and the actions and thought processes of the MCs made even less sense. It tried so hard to be a forbidden romance when it would have been brilliant as a marriage of convenience. The “other woman” was around for far too long and I despise when a minor character inserts themselves and overstays their welcome, stinking like a fish after three days. Funny that the FMC could also be considered the “other woman” because of the position the MMC put her in. The storyline with the niece was nice along with the existence of the school. The MCs were a good match but my eyes are currently stuck from rolling so much over their dull-headedness that I didn’t care by the end if they actually got their HEA. I originally DNF’d this last month and I have regrets trying it again.
Audio: 👍🏼👍🏼 (really liked)
Narrated by Beverley A. Crick
Audio: 👍🏼👍🏼 (really liked)
Narrated by Beverley A. Crick
December 17, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Girls Before Earls is an effervescent, refreshing romance. Miss Hazel Lively has fought for everything she has, cultivating a complex, impenetrable façade. Hazel realizes her dream of opening a finishing school in a seaside town. Hazel is trying to build up the student roster for the fledgling school. Gabriel Beckett, Earl Of Bladenton, or Blade, has a complicated family past. He is the benefactor to his estranged niece. Blade comes to Hazel’s school to offload his troublesome niece. The two come to an agreement, and an unlikely romance blossoms.
This plot has the best character development I have read in some time. Both Blade and Hazel have complicated, tragic pasts; the entire story is the journey of their understanding and acceptance of their demons. The couple fights their burgeoning love every step of the way. Their emotional development unfolds naturally and perfectly. The couple’s issues take the book's entirety to solve, which makes it seem more realistic.
The couple’s physical connection is instantaneous and electric. Blade and Hazel’s building passion ignites the page. I enjoyed all the secondary characters – the students were endearing. The plot was fantastic, keeping my attention, and it flowed seamlessly.
Girls Before Earls is the first book in the new series, Rogues To Lovers. This novel grabbed my attention. All the secondary characters were vivid, and I can’t wait to see whose story is told next. I am impatiently waiting for the next installment. Anna Bennett has created an intriguing, fascinating world full of romance and passion. This was an excellent start to a new series. Blade and Hazel’s romance is breathtaking – don’t miss it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Girls Before Earls is an effervescent, refreshing romance. Miss Hazel Lively has fought for everything she has, cultivating a complex, impenetrable façade. Hazel realizes her dream of opening a finishing school in a seaside town. Hazel is trying to build up the student roster for the fledgling school. Gabriel Beckett, Earl Of Bladenton, or Blade, has a complicated family past. He is the benefactor to his estranged niece. Blade comes to Hazel’s school to offload his troublesome niece. The two come to an agreement, and an unlikely romance blossoms.
This plot has the best character development I have read in some time. Both Blade and Hazel have complicated, tragic pasts; the entire story is the journey of their understanding and acceptance of their demons. The couple fights their burgeoning love every step of the way. Their emotional development unfolds naturally and perfectly. The couple’s issues take the book's entirety to solve, which makes it seem more realistic.
The couple’s physical connection is instantaneous and electric. Blade and Hazel’s building passion ignites the page. I enjoyed all the secondary characters – the students were endearing. The plot was fantastic, keeping my attention, and it flowed seamlessly.
Girls Before Earls is the first book in the new series, Rogues To Lovers. This novel grabbed my attention. All the secondary characters were vivid, and I can’t wait to see whose story is told next. I am impatiently waiting for the next installment. Anna Bennett has created an intriguing, fascinating world full of romance and passion. This was an excellent start to a new series. Blade and Hazel’s romance is breathtaking – don’t miss it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 13, 2022
Okay, let me start by saying that I really enjoyed this book…but I'm still lesbianically indignant that a book called Girls Before Earls isn't Sapphic.
For real.
But I did really enjoy it! This was a very cute and engaging read. I loved that Hazel turned her pain from childhood into something wonderful and that she put her whole heart and soul into the school, just to try to give a few girls a better experience growing up than she had. You can see how important it is to her and how much she's willing to risk or give up to keep it going. And I appreciated Blade not wanting to jeopardize that for her, but also not acting like an Eeyore over the fact that the school was her first priority.
I also really liked the explanation for why Blade is averse to the idea of a love marriage. We see this kind of hero a lot—I'm broken, I can't love you, I won't do it, blah blah—and sometimes I've felt like the reasoning behind it is silly or kind of a "That's it?!" situation. But in this case, once we learn the details of what happened in his past, I completely understood his perspective and felt a lot of empathy for him. And I loved how the girls from the school conspired together to make things happen. I usually don't like that sort of thing, but the way the author handled it here was really great.
It is a bit slow and I thought there were a few scenes that felt like filler, but the overall story is definitely worth the few draggy bits.
Would've been better with lesbians, though. AS WOULD EVERY BOOK. But I liked it, heteros and all.
For real.
But I did really enjoy it! This was a very cute and engaging read. I loved that Hazel turned her pain from childhood into something wonderful and that she put her whole heart and soul into the school, just to try to give a few girls a better experience growing up than she had. You can see how important it is to her and how much she's willing to risk or give up to keep it going. And I appreciated Blade not wanting to jeopardize that for her, but also not acting like an Eeyore over the fact that the school was her first priority.
I also really liked the explanation for why Blade is averse to the idea of a love marriage. We see this kind of hero a lot—I'm broken, I can't love you, I won't do it, blah blah—and sometimes I've felt like the reasoning behind it is silly or kind of a "That's it?!" situation. But in this case, once we learn the details of what happened in his past, I completely understood his perspective and felt a lot of empathy for him. And I loved how the girls from the school conspired together to make things happen. I usually don't like that sort of thing, but the way the author handled it here was really great.
It is a bit slow and I thought there were a few scenes that felt like filler, but the overall story is definitely worth the few draggy bits.
Would've been better with lesbians, though. AS WOULD EVERY BOOK. But I liked it, heteros and all.
December 30, 2021
What a girl wants
Hazel had proved herself and been admitted into Miss Haywinkle's School for Girls after her parents had died. Nineteen years later, she was able to open her own school, the Bellehaven Academy of Deportment, and her goal was to help those less fortunate girls as she could, just like her.
What the Earl wants... and needs
Blade, Earl of Bladenton, had inherited his teenage niece at the demise of his brother. After many disastrous schools had ejected Kitty, it seemed his last hope was Bellehaven. When Hazel found out all the problems Kitty had caused at her other schools, she refused to take her, but....
Needless to say, the adventure starts and does not end until the last page. A slow boil romance and fun watching the characters interact! Great start to a new series!
Hazel had proved herself and been admitted into Miss Haywinkle's School for Girls after her parents had died. Nineteen years later, she was able to open her own school, the Bellehaven Academy of Deportment, and her goal was to help those less fortunate girls as she could, just like her.
What the Earl wants... and needs
Blade, Earl of Bladenton, had inherited his teenage niece at the demise of his brother. After many disastrous schools had ejected Kitty, it seemed his last hope was Bellehaven. When Hazel found out all the problems Kitty had caused at her other schools, she refused to take her, but....
Needless to say, the adventure starts and does not end until the last page. A slow boil romance and fun watching the characters interact! Great start to a new series!
December 29, 2021
This was a fun and fast paced start to a new series!
Orphaned herself, Miss Hazel Lively has set about to make more than a school for her for her Bellhaven Academy, she wants it to become a family. And with the handful of girls enrolled and her assistant they have that connection … but a school can’t survive on care and respect. Bellhaven needs more paying students enrolled.
Kitty has been expelled from more boarding schools than her guardian can count. The fledgling Bellhaven Academy is Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton’s last hope to get his niece off of his hands. Too bad that Bellhaven’s headmistress expects more from her students families and demands that the Earl visit his ward every fortnight and spend time with her as in order to secure her enrolment… How hard can a by-weekly visit be??
Not hard at all when Gabriel soon finds that he can’t get the up tight headmistress out of his thoughts! He’s supposed to be wooing the perfect countess right now to solidify their perfect society match… but he keeps coming up with excuses to get back to Bellhaven and Hazel.
This story captured me from the beginning! Miss Hazel Lively’s yearning for family and her devotion to her girls was very relatable and I loved how Gabriel understood her desires and respected her needs. I appreciated how this book felt with the class differences and the desire to for a woman to have independent industry.
I’m anxious to see where this series goes next!
Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett is releasing December 28th, 2021.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#GirlsBeforeEarls #AnnaBennett #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads
Orphaned herself, Miss Hazel Lively has set about to make more than a school for her for her Bellhaven Academy, she wants it to become a family. And with the handful of girls enrolled and her assistant they have that connection … but a school can’t survive on care and respect. Bellhaven needs more paying students enrolled.
Kitty has been expelled from more boarding schools than her guardian can count. The fledgling Bellhaven Academy is Gabriel Beckett, the Earl of Bladenton’s last hope to get his niece off of his hands. Too bad that Bellhaven’s headmistress expects more from her students families and demands that the Earl visit his ward every fortnight and spend time with her as in order to secure her enrolment… How hard can a by-weekly visit be??
Not hard at all when Gabriel soon finds that he can’t get the up tight headmistress out of his thoughts! He’s supposed to be wooing the perfect countess right now to solidify their perfect society match… but he keeps coming up with excuses to get back to Bellhaven and Hazel.
This story captured me from the beginning! Miss Hazel Lively’s yearning for family and her devotion to her girls was very relatable and I loved how Gabriel understood her desires and respected her needs. I appreciated how this book felt with the class differences and the desire to for a woman to have independent industry.
I’m anxious to see where this series goes next!
Girls Before Earls by Anna Bennett is releasing December 28th, 2021.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#GirlsBeforeEarls #AnnaBennett #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads
June 16, 2023
I truly enjoyed this story! This was such a fascinating and interesting take on a historical romance. It had a plot that I've never read before, and I enjoyed it so much. I'm not even sure why I'm only giving this 4 stars. Honestly, the only thing I didn't love is that I wanted more from Kitty and the grandson, but then again, they will be getting their own book. So not really sure if that's a good enough complaint since I will be getting their story. But I loved the FMC and MMC in this book. I loved the writing. I loved the plot. Can you tell I pretty much loved everything about this story? This is my first book by this author, and I already can't wait to read the next one in the series.
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